Who are infotsygans? 6 signs of a bogus blogger who wants to suck up your money

Marina Vinberg

neuropsychologist, neuraliner

“Infogyganism is a term used to describe the actions of certain individuals or a group of them who, on the Internet or through other information channels, mislead and manipulate others for personal gain.”

Who are infotsygans?

Infotsygans are people who purposely spread misleading information to manipulate others for profit. Their tactics can range from selling useless products to conducting dubious trainings. They offer courses and checklists that carry no value.

Their self-understanding can vary greatly. Some have inflated self-esteem and believe they are doing the right thing. They may see themselves as “savvy entrepreneurs” who are simply capitalizing on available market opportunities.

At the same time, others may experience internal conflict from the realization that their actions are unethical. Psychological traits include a propensity for manipulation, cynicism, and even antisocial behavior.

Today, these include millionaire bloggers. Such people call themselves coaches or infobusinessmen. They tend to teach others how to live to become successful and rich.

Instead of knowledge, they resort to esoteric practices, telling how to set goals, become confident and, the most popular, of course, how to make wishes.

Common areas for infobusinesses are personal growth, psychology, weight loss, sports, SMM, entering marketplaces. They are blowing dust in the eyes. This kind of thing makes people envious. They have a desire to change their lives. The danger is that for the sake of this goal people give their last money to infotsygans or even take out loans.

What does this have to do with manipulation?

People fall for the tricks of bloggers, because it is often difficult to distinguish between real and manipulative information. The promise of quick results or easy success can overshadow reasonable skepticism.

Psychology offers an explanation for this phenomenon. For example, through the concept of “quick wins” or the Dunning-Kruger effect, where people overestimate their level of competence. This is a cognitive distortion in which a person is convinced that he or she has an excellent knowledge of a certain area. In reality, though, his knowledge is superficial.

Today, bloggers actively use various manipulative techniques. They play on emotions, offer exclusive information, create the illusion of scarcity (a discount is valid only today) and use social proof (reviews of supposedly satisfied customers).

Signs of Infotsygans

How to identify such people? They have a characteristic manner of behavior and positioning in social networks. They are characterized by the same techniques.

1- Promising to solve all problems

Bloggers sell the idea that they have a secret that will get rid of all troubles. Even if a person has been struggling with them for years. Infotsygans promise quick results in a matter of days.

2. Demonstration of luxury

Multimillionaires broadcast their beautiful life through the phone screen. They talk about expensive cars, vacations at elite resorts and yachts, apartments with luxurious interiors, luxury clothes and expensive restaurants. At the same time they tell their story, how they grew up in a provincial town. But they managed to succeed.

3. charisma

What distinguishes a blogger who is subscribed to by a large number of people? Of course, such qualities as charisma and charm. They have good oratory skills, sales skills. All this creates the image of an “expert”. Such people make you want to follow them.

4. Knowledge of trends

Infotsygans are well versed in modern trends. They know perfectly well the needs of the audience, they study and analyze them. Bloggers understand all the “pain points” of subscribers and use this information.

5. “Expertise” in many areas

Such people think of themselves as experts in different spheres. Often they have nothing to do with each other. For example, one blogger sells a course on weight loss and finance or on psychology and photography.

6. Leadership positions

Each blogger has their own community of successful professionals. Often they start a center or organization. They may also invite experts. This gives the impression that the courses were prepared by professionals and are worth buying. Although in reality this is not the case at all.

Maria Zibareva

Psychologist

“Those who promise ‘successful success’ are extremely attractive to a certain type of person. They cannot be called stupid or overly suggestible. Let’s find out who they are.”

Who are the victims of info gypsies?

Pay attention to this list and you may recognize yourself in it.

1- People with very high ambitions, but low self-esteem

They want quick solutions, to get a “magic pill”. They compete with nature itself and other people. Painstaking labor and a long way – not their option, it is for “ordinary” people.

For example, such persons will never go to the gym and will not follow the right diet to bring themselves into good athletic shape in six months to a year. Victims will participate in all kinds of drying-marathons, where it is necessary to faint from hunger and exhausting workouts. The opportunity to surprise everyone with fast results is important to them.

2. very gullible people

Conventionally, there are two types of people: gullible and those who have critical thinking. One person, having heard about something new, will find out and study all the information, analyze it. And only then will he decide whether to get involved in the project or not.

The second person, having seen an expensive car from an expert and heard a “guarantee” that he will have the same car, just goes like a horse after a carrot. He expects the leader to share all the secrets of wealth.

This is a basic lack of information, lack of knowledge of the service or product and unwillingness to be fully involved.

3- People with high expectations

When a person has high unrealistic expectations of both themselves and others, they are most likely to become a victim. Minimum effort – maximum benefit. That’s how it works.

4. People who are desperate or in a difficult situation

Sometimes promises of quick success seem like the only way out. Such people believe not only in infotsyganov, but also go to witch doctors and fortune-tellers out of desperation.

5. Lonely people

They feel the need to socialize, and scammers are very charming and know how to present themselves as friendly and caring buddies. The person feels a sense of belonging. This closes his need and “pain”.

How not to become a victim of an info-gypsy?

1- Carefully study the training program

First of all, find out if there is a training program at all. If there isn’t one, it means that you don’t need to buy a course or training. If there is, analyze it. How long does the training last? Is there a practical part in addition to the theory?

2. Find out information about the mentor

Read the biography of the blogger. Preferably information about specialized education, professional development. Does he/she have expert publications in the media? Is he a speaker at events? Does he have his own business? How is it developing? What are the successes?

Familiarize yourself with the opinions of real people, which are posted not on the expert’s website, but on third-party resources. Study the information about the registration of the IE, it should be posted on the official portal of the mentor.

3. Conclude a contract

First of all, a contract should be concluded with you. Otherwise, it will say that the coach does not have a license for educational activities. Find out what you will receive at the end. A certificate or testimonial is not useful, but a diploma of a set pattern is.

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